Galax City Council Minutes June 10, 2024  Galax City Council convened in regular session in City Council Chambers on. June 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. At6:00p.m. Mayor Greene called the meeting to order withi thei following Council members present: Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, and Councilwoman Burnett. Vice  Mayor White, and Councilman Bowers were absent. RECOGNITION OF ACCOMPLISHMENT  PRAYER. AND PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE- Councilwoman Ritchie  Mayor Greene presented Ms. Emily Edwards with a proclamation recognizing her accomplishment of earning the title ofthe 2023 VHSL Class IA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Shotput State Champion. Councilman Warr made the motion to approve the proclamation as presented. Councilman Henck seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman. Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, and Councilwoman Burnett.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Called Meeting of March 28, 2024 Called Meeting of April 18, 2024 Called Meeting of May 6, 2024 Regular Meeting ofMay 13,2024  Councilman Henck made the motion to approve the Council meeting minutes for the four meetings. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, and Dr. Dean Sprinkle, WCC President provided an update on the current trends at Wytheville Community  Councilwoman Burnett.  WYTHEVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE UPDATE College, and answered questions from Council.  OLD BUSINESS  Water Treatment Plant & Distribution System Discussion  Mr. Stevie! Steele- CHA Consulting, provided an update on thet review of the City's water treatment system. He explained after studying the system, a matrix was completed that looked at probable failure points and began to designate those points into priorities and potential projects. This information would help inform Davenport and their work to determine the most economically efficient way to perform the needed improvements. City Manager Burnette summarized the next steps in moving forward regarding the water Dennis Jarvis, II- Economic Development and Main Street Manager, provided an update on several key initiatives. These include the: status oft the Advancing Application for Virginia Main Street, a review oft the comprehensive plan for Galax Grows by Destinations by Design/Galax Grows meetings, and the progress Mike Ayers, Galax Fire Chief, presented an updated version of the proposed False Alarm Policy. The reason for this policy was to give the Fire Department enforcement powers to pursue fines against those businesses that have multiple false alarms due to faulty alarm systems. It also would provide a separate protocol that companies may opti into that would allow those with extremely sensitive systems to avoid fees by authorizing emergency response personnel time to contact the company to determine if an alarm was  tank, pump stations, and the financial options available.  Virginia Main Street Update  of the Main Street façade program. False Alarm Policy    real, prior to dispatching personnel. Chief Ayers stressed that the GFD loved Galax, and the purposed behind the False Alarm Policy was not to hurt businesses, or gain money, but to protect the volunteer fire fighters from the false alarm calls. He recalled a business where the GFD was dispatched seven times in four days for a leaking pipe that was causing the false alarms. This was a result of the failure toj put in a work order by the business to get thei issue resolved. Chief Ayers said this wasn't fair. Councilman Henck made the motion to set a public hearing for the proposed False Alarm Policy Ordinance at the July Council meeting. Councilwoman Burnette seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Judy Taylor-Gallimore, Finance Director discussed the financing oft the new: ambulance recently approved by the City Council for the Galax-Grayson Emergency Medical Services (GGEMS). At the May 13th meeting, Council approved al lease-purchase financing of the ambulance. The total anticipated cost was to be less than $300,000. A request for proposals went out to local banks with responses that were due on Thursday, June 6th. Ms. Taylor-Gallimore informed Council that we had received three responses back. First Citizens Bank had the lowest rate at 6.59% for 60 months. Ms. Taylor-Gallimore requested the approval ofaresolution for the equipment lease purchase financing and using First Citizens Bank. Councilwoman Burnett made the motion to approve the request as presented. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, and Councilwoman Burnett.  Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, and Councilwoman Burnett.  GGEMS Ambulance Financing  NEW BUSINESS  Proposed Elderly and Disabled Tax Relief Changes  Michael Burnette, City Manager proposed changes to the income limits and tax relief for the Elderly and Disabled" Tax Reliefprogram. Due to the increases in reassessment valuations and the decision not to fully equalize the tax rate this year, Council has been concerned about how the new tax bills may impact the elderly and disabled. Therefore, Staff was asked to find ways toj provide some relief. The City Manager proposed that the maximum income limits for the program be raised by $5,000 per tier and the amount of tax relief be increased by $100 per tier. See chart below. City Manager Burnette explained if supported by Council, aj public hearing would need to  be held at the July gth meeting before the initiative could be adopted. ELDERLY &1 DISABLED RELIEF $40,000 from $35k) $400 from $300)  $5,000 INCREASE INCOME LIMITS (up  $100 INCREASE RELIEF (up  PROPOSED 2024 PROGRAM  $35,000 (up from $30k) $500 (up from $400) $45,000 (up from $40k) $300 (up from $200)  Councilman Warr made the motion to set a public hearing. for public comments for the proposed ordinance change. for elderly and disabled tax relief. Councilwoman Burnett seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Police ChiefCooper informed Council ofther need ofar new or refurbished mobile command center fort the Galax Police Department. The existing mobile command center was acquired by the Galax Fire Department as surplus from Radford University for $25,000. The unit was originally designed as a mobile medical clinic. The Fire Department and Police Department collaborated on possible uses of the unit and determined converting it to a mobile command center would be the most beneficial. The Galax Police Department obtained a $20,000 grant in 2010 to convert the unit for use as a mobile command center. With the improvements made the total investment was $45,000. The unit has been used at street festivals, the fiddler's convention, the Hillsville Flea Market, during searches for lost persons, during bomb threats, the 100+ vehicle crash on I-77, to process  Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, and Councilwoman, Burnett.  Mobile Command Center    crime scenes and also as al backup for dispatch during the police department'st remodel. Itj provides aj place where responders can coordinate their operations, complete reports, dispatch responders and provides a noticeable location for the public to seek assistance during events. Chief Cooper explained the current unit was in need of repairs for roof leaks, water damage, outdated equipment, faded & peeling graphics, etc. Staff obtained estimates for a comparable unit to what we currently have. The cost starts at $750,000 with no restroom, camera system, radios, computers, or displays. A rough estimate of $54,000 was obtained from a repair facility to make the repairs needed. The request also included the need fora a shelter to park the unit. ChiefCooper closed by explaining that once he received the final details of the grant, he will share with City Manager Burnette. Chief Cooper was seeking authorization to move forward with applying for the grant. Counciloman, Ritchie made the motion to approve the request to movej forward in obtaining details and apply for a grant. Councilwoman Burnett seconded, and the motion was unanimowsly approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck,  and Councilwoman Burnett. CITIZEN COMMENTS  Alan Dickerson - Budget comments/concerns  COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND COUNCIL  COMMITTEES City Manager Burnette  New LOVE: sign now in place on Main Street Executive Board of the MRPDC with Ms. Leesa Gayheart.  Requested to replace Ms. Dana Sworsy as the Planning Commission Representative on the Councilwoman. Ritchie made the motion to appoint Ms. Gayheart. Councilman Henck seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman. Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, and Councilwoman Burnett. Trees coming down on Main & Center Streets. Video by Adrienne Norman created sO public will understand the project. Seven trees in all to come down due to moving forward with the VDOT Human Development & Education Committee Nomination for Mayor Greene Brightspeed- d-Major overhaul oftelecommunications in Galax by overlaying fiber over the copper. Opportunity to apply for a grant for new Rex Theater lights & sound through a Twin County Councilman Henck made the motion to approve the request as presented. Councilman Warr seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Wart, Councilman Henck, and Councilwoman  project.  VMLI Policy Committee Nominations from Council  Foundation Grant. Burnett. Councilwoman Burnett Street light request  ATM: at Felts Park- Consensus to get ATM at Recreation Center Requested that ID badges be made for Council Galax Fire Dept. Duck Race tickets for sale now Eastview Housing Project - Two houses ready for project God's Storehouse - DHCD took at tour of the facility  Councilwoman Ritchie Councilman Henck    Concerned with Business Machinery & Tools Tax - Galax is a minority that doesn't allow  businesses to de-appreciate their equipment. Juneteenth Celebration at Rosenwald Felts School at 11 a.m. Destination by Design Meeting - Doing fantastic work  Public Services meeting 7-16 @ 4 p.m., vote taken, recommendation to discuss with Blue Line Ranger Station to Galax discussion- - on DCR long term plan, letters of support needed  Solutions, then move to Council.  Galax Grows- - Council representative needed for one, year Cruise in -Hillbilly Days, wonderful turnout Next Tourism meeting in. July - discuss barricade issues  Councilman Warr Mayor Greene CLOSEDSESSION OfVA2.2-3711:  Firing Range upgrades look good  At 9:25 p.m. Councilman Henck. made the motion to enter into closed session in Accordance with Code  (A)(1) Personnel. Discussion afappointments to City Boards, Commissions, etc. (A)(3) Discussion oft the acquisition of real property or the disposition ofr real (A)(5) Prospective or expansion of business or industry where no previous public  property  announcement has been made  Councilwoman Burnett seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Counciloman Richie, Councilman Wart, Councilman Henck, and Note: While in closed session, Vice Mayor White who was away, joined by phone for part of the At 10:27 p.m. by a motion by Councilwoman Ritchie, and seconded by Councilman Warr, Council reconvened in open session, with unanimous approval by all, Mayor Greene certified that no items other than those allowed under the cited Virginia C ode section were discussed and no action was taken, with the following affirmation: Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman  Councilwoman Burnett. conversation.  Henck, and Councilwoman Burnett. ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION  Councilman Henck made the motion to recommend Bonnie Faith Haynes to the BZA toj fill the vacancy of Doug Williams. The recommendation will be sent to our. Attorney to. file with the Circuit Court. Councilwoman Burnett seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Wart, Councilman Henck, and  Councilwoman Burnett. ADIOURMMENTaLD30 p.m. Wl7 Tp  9ha5  Mayor  Clerk